History: The Treaty of Versailles: The leaders

France had suffered enourmous damage to its land, industry and people; over two thirds of the people who had served in the French army were killed. They felt Germany was a big threat.

Clemenaceau wanted to cripple Germany as much as possible; The French President (Poincaré) even wanted Germany broken up into a collection of smaller states, yet Clemenceau was a realist and he would have to compromise on some things.